Any one else feel Riviera Resort is missing A LOT of landscaping?

[kdonnel]

We stopped by Riviera Resort yesterday to look around and eat at Primo Piatto.

My first impression as we came up the hill from the bus stop was that it looked like Hilton or Marriott had clear cut some property and planted a hotel tower. It was a little jarring when compared to Caribbean Beach right next door. It seems like it would have fit in better and looked less like any other fancy hotel any where else if the theming matched Caribbean Beach.

It was beautiful in side for sure and the area between the two pools was really nice. Primo Piatto has some good choices and everyone liked what they ordered.

I just didn't get that wow feeling I get when approaching other Disney resorts.

 

[BillPA]

Just one more cutting of the costs for DVD, proving they can sell anything to the current DVC fans. Today's buyers are so programmed in the Disney 'haze' that they will buy almost anything.

 

[Fangorn]

Not exactly sure what you're expecting in the way of landscaping. First, the landscaping is less than a year old, so it hasn't had much time to grow in yet. Second, the theme is the French Riviera, which is not exactly a lush, tropical or even semi-tropical locale. Here's a picture of the Ritz-Carlto in Cannes - one of the inspirations for the resort. Note the decided lack of tropical vegetation.



Steve

 

[cvjw]

It just doesn’t fit in with its surroundings. It is basically part of Caribbean beach. It just seems like the resort would be better suited if it had been built as a stand alone resort, not added to a moderate resort.

 

[sethschroeder]

It just doesn’t fit in with its surroundings. It is basically part of Caribbean beach. It just seems like the resort would be better suited if it had been built as a stand alone resort, not added to a moderate resort.

So it was 100% not added to CBR although its surrounded by it. It is on a moderate location with the skyliner is trying to make up for that. It will not compete for best location with BWV or BLT but its not as bad as reflections would have been boarding a camping ground (I camped tons as a kid so that is not a slight against it).

That being said if you look there are ponds on both sides of the resort cutting it off from CBR it also has small walk paths to continue around the lake (which is a good thing for strolls).

Personally I can see more of CBR actually being torn down or converted to DVC in the future.

 

[sethschroeder]

Honestly my hope is what I have brought up before a complete retheme of the west side of CBR in to a European village style DVC resort. Preferable theme would be the Alps and make it similar to a little town you might find. It could be the OKW style stand alone buildings possibly so they don't need to rip the whole thing down?

 

[Brett Wyman]

I was down on Riviera from the moment it was announced. For a lot of things mentioned in this very thread even. But after having stayed there with a preferred view I have to say its one of my top three resorts at WDW.

 

[sethschroeder]

Just one more cutting of the costs for DVD, proving they can sell anything to the current DVC fans. Today's buyers are so programmed in the Disney 'haze' that they will buy almost anything.

As opposed to the Boardwalk? I mean its not like that is overflowing with plants either. I am not positive on the plants used around the resort either they may be bushes that will fill out over the next 4-5 years? Good thing about plants is that its fairly easy to plant or remove them.

Riv will never compete though with the top resorts for landscaping in my opinion but interested to see in March when we are back there (staying at BWV but will stop by for sure).

 

[Wedgeout]

They chopped the top off the Caribbean Beach and modified the lagoon. Put in the tower to get as close to the world showcase without seeing it pop over the top of other countries. (Otherwise at the Skyliner turn could have been a plot of land for it). Then it was all about money saving, to still have it close enough to the Skyliner without a major change to its route. Build it they will come concept. But if you squint you can feel like you are looking across the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean islands.

 

[kdonnel]

Not exactly sure what you're expecting in the way of landscaping. First, the landscaping is less than a year old, so it hasn't had much time to grow in yet. Second, the theme is the French Riviera, which is not exactly a lush, tropical or even semi-tropical locale.

From the front it looks like a big pretty hotel set on top of a grassy hill. I don't remember landscaping that appeared it was going to grow in and surround the resort in any way.

From the back it looks like it should be part of the Caribbean Beach but instead is themed totally different.

 

[kdonnel]

That being said if you look there are ponds on both sides of the resort cutting it off from CBR it also has small walk paths to continue around the lake (which is a good thing for strolls).


View attachment 524476

Aerially it might look cut off from Caribbean Beach, but walking around it yesterday it seemed extremely close to Caribbean Beach. Close enough that the walk to Old Port Royale from half or more of Riviera looks to be shorter then the walk to Old Port Royale from large swaths of Caribbean Beach itself.

 

[RivShore]

Honestly my hope is what I have brought up before a complete retheme of the west side of CBR in to a European village style DVC resort. Preferable theme would be the Alps and make it similar to a little town you might find. It could be the OKW style stand alone buildings possibly so they don't need to rip the whole thing down?

That would be a great long term plan.

I just don't see the jarring contrast some do with it being next to CBR. I've never been to the real Riviera, so I wouldn't know for sure, but wouldn't a high rise hotel (like the one pictured above) overlook a village of low rise houses with possibly colorful roofs?

 

[dvc lover 1970]

So it was 100% not added to CBR although its surrounded by it. It is on a moderate location with the skyliner is trying to make up for that. It will not compete for best location with BWV or BLT but its not as bad as reflections would have been boarding a camping ground (I camped tons as a kid so that is not a slight against it).

That being said if you look there are ponds on both sides of the resort cutting it off from CBR it also has small walk paths to continue around the lake (which is a good thing for strolls).

Personally I can see more of CBR actually being torn down or converted to DVC in the future.

View attachment 524476

They will never tear down CBR or convert it to DVC as they have one of their larger convention centers there. CBR is also the only moderate that has a gym onsite. If anything, I can see them upgrading it to a mini-deluxe resort or upgrade part to deluxe and keep part as moderate. In essence make two resorts there like port orleans riverside and the mansions

 

[sethschroeder]

They will never tear down CBR or convert it to DVC as they have one of their larger convention centers there. CBR is also the only moderate that has a gym onsite. If anything, I can see them upgrading it to a mini-deluxe resort or upgrade part to deluxe and keep part as moderate. In essence make two resorts there like port orleans riverside and the mansions

Except they already did tear down a portion of it. Also it doesn't need to be standalone DVC.

I can see a switch in to a deluxe style for the west side, then a hotel tower built at the main area to the south of RIV that would be like Coronado upgrading the resort.

So no it's not about removing CBR it's about a upgrade to get more money out of the resort. They would also then extend the Skyliner from AOA down to the sports area to possibly upgrade that functionality for youth and college. Who knows maybe an off-season NBA "tourney" or summer league is in the future as well.

 

[MonorailPrincess]

Not exactly sure what you're expecting in the way of landscaping. First, the landscaping is less than a year old, so it hasn't had much time to grow in yet. Second, the theme is the French Riviera, which is not exactly a lush, tropical or even semi-tropical locale. Here's a picture of the Ritz-Carlto in Cannes - one of the inspirations for the resort. Note the decided lack of tropical vegetation.

View attachment 524474

Steve

The French Riviera is a tropical locale.

 

[ForWhomTheMouseTolls]

I love the subtle insults to people who bought this. Maybe we liked it. Maybe we don’t care about Caribbean Beach nearby.

The skyliner is incredibly convenient and the rooms are fantastic. Not your cup of tea? Cool. The insults just make you sound petty.

 

[Fangorn]

The French Riviera is a tropical locale.

Sorry, not true. The South of France has a Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and winters mild and dry. The autumn often brings thunderstorms and heavy rain that can lead to flooding. Big differences between tropical and Mediterranean climates. The coastal areas of Washington, Oregon, and California, down to LA, also have Mediterranean climates. Wonderful places along the Pacific coast, especially in the summer, but there's nothing tropical about them whatsoever.

At 43 degrees N. latitude, Cannes is further north than is Boston. Pretty much halfway between the equator and north pole. A bit shy of the 45.5 degrees latitude we are at here in Portland, OR.

A very long way from the tropics.

Steve

 

[Sammie]

The French Riviera is a tropical locale.

You need to check a map of the world on that: way north of tropical.

 

[Sammie]

I love the subtle insults to people who bought this. Maybe we liked it. Maybe we don’t care about Caribbean Beach nearby.

The skyliner is incredibly convenient and the rooms are fantastic. Not your cup of tea? Cool. The insults just make you sound petty.

The newest resort always goes through this. I think the resort is beautiful, with great views and some of the best Disney art on the property. Enjoy your home.

 

[DVCsloth]

Only saw it from the gondola but it sure looked pretty amazing to me. Will be staying there in a few days, 3 nights in a standard studio. The pictures look so beautiful!